General Seatbelt (passenger) worn out on 11,000 mile car

[tigershoot]

I have a 2005 Fiat Idea, and incredibly the seatbelt on the passenger side has frayed along the edge and revealed a very sharp edge that can destroy a top in one long journey. Quite how this could have happened is beyond me.

Has anyone else had problems with Fiat seatbelts perishing along the edge. What sort of cost is a new seatbelt and fitting?

 

[T14086]

sounds similar to mk2 mondeos where they used to eat seatbelts for dinner.


p.s. there is a 'idea' section

 

[tigershoot]

I did see the Idea section, but thought a seatbelt such a generic item that maybe this problem could occur across a wide range of Fiats.

 

[mcjacko1987]

look on ebay for one. wouldnt be to much

 

[T14086]

I did see the Idea section, but thought a seatbelt such a generic item that maybe this problem could occur across a wide range of Fiats.

Personally only damaged seat belt(s) I have seen on a Fiat is when a dog chewed through them.

 

[mcjacko1987]

my punto mk2 5door seat belts are getting a lil fraded on the edges. but nothing majour

 

[bludvl_x19]

my punto mk2 5door seat belts are getting a lil fraded on the edges. but nothing majour

Thats a bit of an oxymoron isn't it?
I was under the impression that any fraying was bad, as it affects the stopping power of your belts?

 

[mcjacko1987]

i no wat you mean lol.but its just a lil bit.not much

 

[Ffoxy]

I did see the Idea section, but thought a seatbelt such a generic item that maybe this problem could occur across a wide range of Fiats.

Fiat dont make seatbelts... they buy them in and a lot of other manufacturers will use the same. Its like blaming Fiat for early tyre wear....

Does the belt get used a lot? I used a company Toyota for a few months in 2001, the previous driver was a huge hog of a guy and the seat belt, seat and carpet were foooked, the car had 38,000 miles on the clock.

 

[tigershoot]

Fiat dont make seatbelts... they buy them in and a lot of other manufacturers will use the same. Its like blaming Fiat for early tyre wear....

Does the belt get used a lot? I used a company Toyota for a few months in 2001, the previous driver was a huge hog of a guy and the seat belt, seat and carpet were foooked, the car had 38,000 miles on the clock.

I am not blaming Fiat. Perhaps there is an underlying issue with the design of the mechanism that frays the edges. This could be a Fiat part wearing out a third party supplied seatbelt. Fiat may indeed make the seatbelts - they may even have a subsidiary company that makes them - who knows?

Does the belt get used a lot? Well I can't answer as I have just bought the car. I reckon the previous owners dog may have damaged it.

 

[Ffoxy]

I am not blaming Fiat. Perhaps there is an underlying issue with the design of the mechanism that frays the edges. This could be a Fiat part wearing out a third party supplied seatbelt. Fiat may indeed make the seatbelts - they may even have a subsidiary company that makes them - who knows?

Does the belt get used a lot? Well I can't answer as I have just bought the car. I reckon the previous owners dog may have damaged it.

Glad you have that sorted then.

To be honest the first few lines of your Post are purely speculative, well so is the last bit really. Just change the seat-belt IMO and move on.

I dont see many other Posts on here from others having had that issue so maybe pure abuse and neglect by the previous owner... I hope they looked after servicing and repair better though.

 

[Jannik]

Mine has the same issue on the same side, allthough i am living on the Europe mainland - on mine its the same side.

Not worn as bad as yours though, but it was there almost from when i bought it and drove it out the shoeroom.

 

[tigershoot]

Mine has the same issue on the same side, allthough i am living on the Europe mainland - on mine its the same side.

Not worn as bad as yours though, but it was there almost from when i bought it and drove it out the shoeroom.

I checked with my local FIAT dealer in Spain and it will cost almost €300 to replace. I have bought some Sparko velcro seatbelt pads and use one on the affected side.

What age is your Idea?